Patriots most memorable appearances on Monday Night Football

The Patriots have played on Monday Night Football 43 times and have a 21-22 record. As quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots gear up to take on the 11-1 Houston Texans on Monday night, we take a look at some of their most memorable appearances on Monday Night Football through the years, from thrilling games to those notable for other reasons.

Brady in particular enjoys the Monday Night Football spotlight. He is 12-4 in Monday Night Football games he has started, including wins in his last four appearances.
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AP

Shocking news delivered during MNF game

On Dec. 8, 1980, many learned that Beatles singer and songwriter John Lennon had died during Monday Night Football while the Patriots played the Dolphins in Miami. Announcer Howard Cosell made the announcement just before the Patriots attempted a field goal, and then said it again later in the game. The Dolphins won the game 16-13 in overtime.

Cosell initially did not want to announce the news during the football game, but was convinced by co-host Frank Gifford that the significance of it demanded he deliver the news regardless of the circumstance of the game.

The Sept. 3, 1979 season opener vs. the Steelers was memorable because former Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley, a year after he was paralyzed, was introduced at Schaefer Stadium, his first visit to the stadium since he was injured by Jack Tatum. The game was stopped for more than five minutes in the second quarter to acknowledge Stingley, who was in a luxury box. The Patriots lost, 16-13.
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The Boston Globe - The Boston Gl

Intentional safety gambit works in Denver

On Nov. 2, 2003, the Patriots traveled to Denver to take on the Broncos. At the time, they had a 1-12 record playing in the Mile High City. After a back-and-forth game, the Patriots found themselves down 24-23 with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter.

After quarterback Tom Brady threw three straight incomplete passes, the Patriots found themselves the Patriots found themselves backed up against their own end zone. In a risky move, coach Bill Belichick called for an intentional safety, and snapper Lonnie Paxton snapped it through the end zone, giving Denver a 26-23 lead.

The Patriots forced the Broncos to punt and on the return, Troy Brown ran the ball to Denver’s 42. Brady then followed with three consecutive passes to running back Kevin Faulk. With a minute left to play, the Patriots were at Denver’s 18 and Brady found wide receiver David Givens for the touchdown the Patriots needed to pull ahead 30-26 and go on to win.
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Jim Davis/The Boston Globe

Dolphins rally late in fourth quarter for victory

On Dec. 20, 2004, the Patriots suffered a 29-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the final 2:07 of the game, Miami was able to score back-to-back touchdowns, handing the Patriots one of only two losses for the entire season.

The upset was inconceivable for Patriots fans. Miami had a 3-11 record, the Patriots were the reigning Super Bowl champions, and had already clinched the AFC East with a 12-1 record. Tom Brady threw a crucial interception just before the 2-minute warning to turn the game in Miami's favor.
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Stan Grossfeld/Globe file photo

Monday night mayhem

On Oct. 18, 1976, the Patriots beat the Jets 41-7 at Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough. After the game, Foxborough police chief Daniel McCarthy told residents to “hope and pray” that no more night games would be played there after a fan was stabbed, a police officer assaulted and his gun stolen, and more than 60 people were arrested for drunken brawling. After this game, police began checking fans for alcohol when entering Patriots games.
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Reuters

Patriots flying high after convincing win over Jets

On Dec. 6, 2010, the Patriots clinched the AFC East division in style, pummeling the New York Jets 45-3. The Patriots players even celebrated their victory by mocking the Jets, imitating New York’s signature move by running around with arms out, flying like an airplane. One month later, the Jets would upset the Patriots in the playoffs.
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The Boston Globe

Record night for Brady

In the 2011 season opener for the Patriots, quarterback Tom Brady threw for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 99-yarder to Wes Welker to lead to the Patriots to a 38-24 win over Miami. Brady set a team record for passing yards in a game, and the Patriots set a franchise record for total yards in a game with 622.

In 1997, the Patriots lost to the Packers 28-10 during a Monday night game in late October. It was a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI played the previous January, which the Packers won, 35-21.

Both teams went into the Monday night rematch with a 5-2 record, but the Patriots were unable to reverse the Super Bowl outcome.
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Globe file photo

On Sept. 21, 1981, the Patriots hosted the Cowboys, and fans arrived in the late afternoon and numerous fights broke out in the stands. The Patriots beat the Cowboys, 35-21, but Foxborough officials banned Monday Night Football in response to the fan behavior. The next MNF game in Foxborough would not be held until Oct. 23, 1995 when the Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 27-14.
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The Boston Globe

Brady returns on a national stage

The 2009 season opener against the Buffalo Bills marked Tom Brady’s return to action after being sidelined for the 2008 season with a knee injury. He started slow, but ramped it up when needed. Brady completed 39 of 53 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and the Patriots won 25-24.

Brady was named AFC Player of the Week after that performance, although the Patriots had to hold off a game Bills team by scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:06.
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Frank O'Brien/Globe file photo

First time on MNF

On Nov. 6, 1972, the Patriots played the Baltimore Colts at Schaefer Stadium in their first Monday Night Football appearance. The Colts won 24-17.
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Globe file photo

Traffic nightmare leads to tragedy

Four years after the 1976 debacle at Schaefer Stadium, another violent game took place. On Sept. 29, 1980, the Patriots played the Broncos, and since the game wasn’t sold out, last-minute ticket buyers added to the usual rush of traffic.

Poorly lit roadways and parking lots caused several accidents, and the day was marred by the death of a 69-year-old man who was hit and thrown 100 feet by a car driven by a teenager who, police said, had been drinking.

Many fans didn’t make it to their seats until halftime and exiting traffic was backed up for two hours. A police officer was hospitalized after being kicked in the back during a fight, at least 50 people were arrested, and 100 were removed from the stadium during the game. The Patriots went on to beat the Broncos 23-17, and drinking and fighting continued in the parking lots until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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